The Brooklyn Nets host the Boston Celtics in NBA action tonight.
This is an extremely lopsided matchup in terms of respective records, and my Celtics vs. Nets predictions are betting on Boston to take care of business as a big favorite.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference showdown on March 15, with tip-off at 6 p.m. ET.
Celtics vs Nets prediction
My best bet: Celtics -10 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Boston Celtics are practically locked into the No. 2 seed and have shown a willingness to rest key players to keep them healthy for the playoffs. Since the All-Star break, there have been a handful of games where the Celtics rested either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. Big man Kristaps Porzingis has also been out since February 26 due to an illness.
It's tough to know exactly who we'll see on Boston tonight, but Brown and Porzingis both took part in shootarounds yesterday before being downgraded to out. I would expect at least one of them to play versus the Brooklyn Nets, and as of noon ET, there's been no indication that Tatum will be given the night off.
With most of their rotation players likely suiting up, I like the Celtics, who are 6-1 straight up and 5-2 against the spread in their last seven. After all, the Brooklyn Nets will be missing center Nic Claxton and shooting guard Cam Thomas, the latter of whom is their leading scorer and best defender.
Brooklyn easily had the worst offense in the NBA when Thomas was sidelined earlier this season, and it will look like that again without him and his 24.0 ppg in the lineup. Meanwhile, Claxton is their top rebounder and rim-protector.
The Nets have dropped nine of their last 10 games, and I expect them to lose by double digits tonight.
Celtics vs Nets same-game parlay
Celtics -9.5
Under 215.5
Cameron Johnson Over 4.5 rebounds
Thomas rejoined the Nets after a lengthy absence on March 4. Before that date, the Nets had scored more than 105 points in just four of their previous 26 games. They'll have a tough time generating points against a slow-paced Celtics squad that allows a league-low 106.3 ppg on the road.
Without Thomas and Claxton, somebody will have to shoulder more of the scoring and rebounding load for Brooklyn. That will likely be Cameron Johnson, who averages 18.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The forward should log significant minutes tonight, and he has grabbed at 5+ boards in his last four contests.
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Celtics vs Nets odds
Celtics vs Nets live odds
Celtics vs Nets opening odds
- Spread: Boston -11.5 | Brooklyn +11.5
- Moneyline: Boston -600 | Brooklyn +450
- Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Nets spread and Over/Under analysis
- Early money has come in on the Nets and the Over, slimming the line to Boston -10 and shifting the total to 215.5.
- Boston is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games.
- The Nets are coming off a 116-110 loss at Chicago on Thursday, and they are 1-9 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10.
- The Under is 17-11 in Brooklyn's last 28 games at home, while going 20-8 in Boston's previous 28 contests on the road.
Celtics vs Nets trend
The Celtics are 16-1 SU and 11-3-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings between these Atlantic Division foes. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Nets.
How to watch Celtics vs Nets
| Location | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| Date | Saturday, 3-15-2025 |
| Tip-off | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSB, YES, TSN |
Celtics vs Nets latest injuries
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